Way back in November when the boys first climbed out of their cribs, we decided to change the cribs into toddler beds for safety reasons. However, after a few nights of mayhem, it became clear that the boys were not mentally mature enough to accept that they had to stay in their beds or there would be repercussions. Also, "repercussions" was not something I really had in my arsenal. Aside from constantly putting them back in their beds, I really did not have any other carrots or sticks that they cared enough about to help them to learn what they should be doing. This was especially true for Brady who did not have the impulse control need to spot himself from jumping out of bed and running over to his brother. So after a week or two of terrible bedtime behavior, we put Brady's crib back together. We spent months working on getting them to stay in their beds once the lights were off and we pretty much had to wait in their room with them until they fell asleep to ensure that no mayhem or dangerous behavior ensued. SLOWLY though, Brody learned to fall asleep without getting up and he understood the meaning of the rule "no feet on the floor when the lights are off". In time, he got really good at putting himself to sleep during nap time, so much so, that he would fall asleep way faster than Brady. Turns out, Brady likes to play in his bed and settle himself down by reading or talking to himself and his energy was keeping Brody awake. So, I split the boys at nap time; Brody sleep in his toddler bed and Brady fell asleep in the master bedroom in a pack n play. For whatever reason, even though Brady knew he could climb out of his crib and the pack n play, he seemed to respect the barrier and would not escape (even when I found his brother standing right next to his crib with open arms saying "D- I catch you"). As of a month or so ago, we were in a really good spot sleeping wise, the boys were falling asleep by themselves at night, no one was getting back up after lights out, and naps were pretty regulated, so of course we decided to change everything by giving them their big boy beds ;) Thankfully, this transition has been much easier. They like their beds and based on our excitement and explanation, they understand that they were upgraded to something more special. It just goes to show you that waiting for the right time (and a little maturity) is usually the right thing to do (if you can do it). The passage of 6 months and the introduction of a new bed has made Brady really wants to sleep in his bed at nap time so he has been learning to settle himself down more quickly (if he does not settle down within a reasonable time period, I move him out of his bed). Also we give stickers for good bedtime behavior which 6 months ago meant nothing to them. More carrots and more sticks has made my job a little easier! All in all, it is wicked fun to have big boy beds in the house even though I was terribly sad that the cribs were gone!
The hats, inflatable hammers, and tool belts were party favors from an awesome birthday party and they got them the day of the disassembly. Perfect timing so the boys could help Dad do some deconstruction! I have not decorated the room with other fun toddler tidbits just yet so I will post more pictures when the transition is final. For now we are enjoying wide open floor space and comfy places to read books and to work on Mom's computer (what?!)!
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